China's and India's “Neutrality” in the Russia–Ukraine War: A Comparative Perspective

ABSTRACT Like many other states of the “Global South,” India and China have consistently professed their neutrality in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. This article compares and contrasts the “neutral” positions adopted by New Delhi and Beijing regarding the conflict. It does so by positing a definition of neutrality that is broader and less ambiguous than the conventional definition, employing five distinct criteria for assessing a country's neutrality: (i) nonparticipation in military action; (ii) a refusal to officially take sides in the conflict; (iii) a refusal to officially apportion blame for its outbreak or consequences; (iv) a refusal to use state‐controlled media resources to amplify either side's official narrative; (v) nonparticipation in economic sanctions. Applying this definition, the article concludes that India's stance on the Russia–Ukraine war appears to come relatively close to the “ideal type” of neutrality, whereas China cannot be considered a neutral power in this conflict.